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'Hidden Artist Challenge' benefits future St. Charles arts center

Release your inner artist while funding the St. Charles Downtown Center for the Arts and Education at a group painting party on Saturday, Sept. 12, at All Things Art Studio, 1106 W. Main St. in St. Charles.

When a party of 2-4 registers for that day (or groups of 5 at special request), the individual fee of $35 goes to the fundraising campaign for a Downtown Center for Arts and Education, sponsored by the St. Charles Arts Council.

Groups must be booked online. Available time slots are 10 a.m. to noon or 7 to 9 p.m. Other times will be added if needed. Sign up now at www.StCharlesArtsCouncil.org/donations. (In the "comment section," enter the group name and group members, and the time slot will be confirmed via email by Sept. 2).

The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 31. Space is limited so don't delay! For questions, call the St. Charles Arts Council at (630) 443-3794.

To view the different painting options available for the group project, visit stcharlesartscouncil.wordpress.com.

As part of the "Hidden Artist Challenge," artists are invited to attend a reception hosted at the neXt gallery, 303 W. Main St. in St. Charles, on Saturday, Sept. 19, where the collaborative works will be auctioned and proceeds donated to the arts center.

The "Hidden Artist" reception begins at 6 p.m., with the auction starting at 7:30 p.m. This event is brought to you by the St. Charles Arts Council, and hosted by All Things Art Studio and neXt gallery.

Why a Downtown Center for the Arts and Education?

A Downtown Center for the Arts and Education open days, evenings and weekends, will be a place where community members can gather together to relax and experience works of visual and performing art. It will also be an education center where individuals of all ages can explore their own creative talents. Rental spaces can be used for studios, galleries, rehearsals, performances, lectures, meetings and business offices, offering an arts incubator-like environment where creative, marketing and management information can be exchanged.

The arts center will give artists at various stages of development the opportunity to hone their skills and will encourage exchanges between masters and beginners, enhancing the artistic process for both. A Downtown Center for Arts and Education would support and bring together artists from all disciplines. Whether it is visual, performing, architectural, culinary, digital, electronic or film arts, all forms of expression will find their home at the arts center. A downtown center will encourage artistic development and lead to quality works that will establish the area as an arts Mecca and will also serve as an arts hub, providing information about arts organizations and programs in the area.

The St. Charles downtown area is already an established draw for visitors and the arts center's diverse programming will attract both those audiences and new ones, introducing new people to the amenities of the area. The location is also convenient for casual cultural visitors seeking arts entertainment opportunities, and is within walking distance of the area's existing shops, theaters, and restaurants.

Studies show that the biggest draw when relocating to a particular community are the social and recreational offerings, with arts and cultural activities ranked the highest in that category. Visit knightfoundation.org/sotc/overall-findings/. Arts and culture also attracts visitors to town. In terms of economic development, it simply makes sense to support the arts center and arts organizations like it.

Donate! Volunteer! Share! Please take action today. Donate to the arts center, volunteer for one of our many programs and share with others on social media! Contact info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org, (630) 443-3794, or visit www.StCharlesArtsCouncil.org and our Facebook page.

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